ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 198.34 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 7.21 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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VACCINE DOSES
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SUPPLIED
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1,98,34,52,325
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BALANCE AVAILABLE
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7,21,49,850
More than 198.34 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 7.21 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Ministry of Railways
PPP Initiatives in Indian Railway to boost Infrastructure
It is estimated that Indian Railways would need Capital investment of around ₹50 lakh crore upto 2030 for network expansion and capacity augmentation, rolling stock induction and other modernization works to enable better delivery of passenger and freight services and to improve its modal share in transport. To bridge the gap in capital funding and to induct modern technologies and improve efficiencies, it is being planned to use Public Private Partnership  model for few initiatives.
One of the PPP initiatives is to invite partners to invest and induct modern rakes over select routes to provide world class services to the passengers. As part of this initiative, Ministry of Railways  has invited applications for investment and induction of modern rakes over select routes through Public Private Partnership  to provide world class services to the passengers. Accordingly, MOR has issued 12 Requests for Qualification  on 1st July, 2020 for operation of passenger trains over approximately 109 origin-destination pairs  through PPP on Design, Build, Finance and Operate  basis. The routes are spread across various states covering the entire Indian Railway network straddling across the boundaries of the States and the list is available in the public domain namely, http://www.indianrailways.gov.in/IndicativeRoutesfor12clusters.pdf. However, the responsibility of train operations and safety certification rests with Indian Railways in all such cases. Besides, it has been decided that the Crew  required for operation of trains through PPP mode shall be provided by Indian Railways.
This information was given by the Minister of Railways and Commerce & Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways geared up to provide COVID Care Centers to State Authorities. Trains with unit composition of 10 coaches, with patient capacity of 16 per coach have been made ready. A total of 5231 coaches were modified to be used as Covid Care Center.
UP has finalised 24 stations.
Telangana has asked for coaches to be stationed in 3 locations- Secunderabad, Kachiguda and Adilabad.
In Delhi, 10 coaches are stationed at 1 Shakurbasti location .
Guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to be followed.
Indian Railways makes 360 degree attempt to supplement Government of India’s efforts against COVID
As per guidelines of MoHFW, few State Governments have sent the requisition to Indian Railways. Railways have allocated these coaches to the State/UTs.
UP has finalised 24 stations for deployment.
Telangana for Secunderabad, Kachiguda and Adilabad locations.
10 coaches have been requisitioned in Delhi
Sustaining the fight against Covid-19, Indian Railways is making an all out effort to supplement the health care efforts of Government of India. Indian Railways has geared up to provide its 5231 Covid Care Centers to the State. Zonal Railways has converted these coaches for quarantine facility.
The Coaches can be used for very mild cases that can be clinically assigned to the Covid Care centers as per guidelines issued by MoHFW. These coaches can be used in areas where State has exhausted the facilities and needs to augment capacities for isolation of both suspect and confirmed Covid cases. These facilities are part of the integrated COVID plan developed by MoHFW and NITi Ayog.
Out of 215 stations, Railways to provide healthcare facilities in 85 stations, in 130 stations, States to request COVID care coaches only if they agree to provide staff and essential medicines. Indian Railways has kept 158 stations ready with watering and charging facility and 58 stations with watering facility for these COVID Care centers.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Data on Causes of Road Accidents
To review the road accident data collection/reporting format so as to make recording and reporting of road accident data more accurate, objective and ensuring coverage of all relevant information, a Committee was constituted consisting experts from Indian Institute of Technology , Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, World Health Organization , senior officers from Police and Transport Departments of States, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and officers of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. On the basis of the recommendations of the Committee, a revised uniform road accident recording and reporting format has been adopted since calendar year 2017.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Secretary, MoHUA chairs the 55th CSMC Meeting under PMAY-U;
Proposals for construction of 16,488 houses approved under Beneficiary-Led Construction and Affordable Housing in Partnership  verticals of PMAY-U
Now a total 113.06 lakh houses sanctioned, of which 85.65 Lakh grounded and more than 51 lakh completed and delivered under PMAY-U
At the 55th meeting of Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee  under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban , proposals for construction of 16,488 houses have been approved. A total of four States/UTs attended the meeting held today in New Delhi through video conference. The houses are proposed to be constructed under Beneficiary-Led Construction  and Affordable Housing in Partnership  verticals of PMAY-U.
Presiding over the meeting, Shri Durga Shanker Mishra, Secretary, MoHUA while chairing the meeting said, “The demand for sanction has saturated in all States/UTs and work should be done expeditiously towards completing all the projects within stipulated time.”
Construction of PMAY-U houses is in various stages. With this, the total number of sanctioned houses under PMAY-U is now 113.06 Lakh; of which 85.65 Lakh have been grounded for construction and more than 51 Lakh have been completed and delivered to the beneficiaries. The total investment under the Mission is ₹ 7.39 Lakh Crore with a Central Assistance of ₹1.82 Lakh Crore. So far, ₹1,06,390 Crore of funds have already been released under the Mission.
The approval for proposals under Model-2 of Affordable Rental Housing Complexes  was also reviewed by Secretary, MoHUA, with 5 States, namely Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. A total of 59,350 units, including single bedroom/double bedroom units and dormitory beds, have been approved for urban migrants/ poor, involving a Technology Innovation Grant  of over ₹ 135 Crore.
ARHCs, a sub-scheme under PMAY-U, provides ease of living to urban migrants/poor in industrial sector as well as in non-formal urban economy to get access to dignified affordable rental housing close to their workplace. The scheme offers major step towards making of ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’.
Further, Secretary, MoHUA, urged the States/ UTs to participate enthusiastically in ‘PMAY Awards -100 Days Challenge’. “Our major focus should be how can States/ UTs make their cities saturated. Completion of projects should be aimed at,” he added.
With respect to Light House Projects , Secretary, MoHUA, said that the States/ UTs should encourage registration of stakeholders as Technograhis in large numbers so that they get to learn about globally innovative technologies and adapt their use in Indian context across the nation.
Ministry of Culture
Ministry of Culture organizes International conference on the contributions of “J C Bose: A Satyagrahi Scientist” as part of AKAM
On the occasion of 164th birth anniversary of legendary Indian scientist Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose and as part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava, Vijnana Bharati and Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India organized an “International conference on the contributions of J C Bose: A Satyagrahi Scientist”, at Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi. The conference was organized in association with Indraprastha Vigyan Bharati and Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi.
The two-day international conference was graced by Smt. Priyanka Chandra, Director, Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsava, Ministry of Culture, who emphasized to the students and audiences the significance and purpose of azadi ka amritmahotsava and the importance of janbhagidari in all stratas of society and to make a stronger nation. Also gracing the event were Dr. N P Shukla, Member, CAQM, Government of India, Dr. Arvind Ranade  and eminent speakers like Dr. Archana Sharma, CERN, Switzerland, Prof. Gautam Basu, Bose Institute; Prof. C M Nautiyal, Dr. Manas Pratim Das,  among others.
In a first of its kind Record making activity, the conference carried out the Crescograph kit Assembly activity, simultaneously by almost 300 school students across two days. This is the first attempt across the nation of a device which proved Plants have Lives. Another activity which attracted the youngsters was Night Sky watch using three telescopes. Both these activities, attracted huge numbers.
The aim of the conference was to provide a voice to the unheard contributions of Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose in the walks of the pre-independence era as a scientist and a freedom fighter. J C Bose discovered wireless communication and was named the Father of Radio Science by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. He was responsible for the expansion of experimental science in India. From his contribution to biophysics to his contribution to the freedom struggle, there are numerous facets of his life that are undiscovered
The conference had unique sub-themes like J C Bose as a Satyagrahi Scientist, Contemporary relevance of works of J C Bose, J C Bose vision for self-reliant India, 5mm 5G: J C Bose contributions, and Bose as a Science Communicator. There were four competitions like essay, poster, article writing and oral presentations for school, college students and teachers. In the evening, there was a mellifluous cultural performance in front of the audience.
Special Service and Features
Staff Selection Commission conducts Phase-X/2022/Selection Posts Examination from 1st August to 5th August 2022
Staff Selection Commission conducts Phase-X/2022/Selection Posts Examination in Computer Based Mode.
In Southern Region, 45,773 candidates have been admitted for the examination. The Examination will be held in 20 Venues at 20 Centres/Cities viz. Chirala, Guntur, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam & Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh; Hyderabad, Karimnagar & Warangal in Telangana and Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli & Vellore in Tamil Nadu.
In Southern Region, the examination will be held for 5 days from 01.08.2022 to 05.08.2022. There will be 4 Shifts in a day – 1st Shift from 09:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 2nd Shift from 11:45 PM to 12:45 PM, 3rd Shift from 02:30 PM to 03:30 PM and 4th Shift from 05:15 PM to 06:15 PM.
Facility to download e-Admission Certificates will be provided in our website in such a way that candidates can download the same ONLY 4 DAYS BEFORE THEIR ACTUAL DATE OF EXAMINATION AND ALL THE SUBSEQUENT DAYS TILL THEIR DATE OF EXAMINATION. These details are also intimated to the candidates through SMS to their mobile numbers and through e-mail to their e-mail IDs as provided by them in their Online Applications.
PROHIBITED ITEMS such as watches, books, paper chits, magazines, electronic gadgets  are STRICTLY NOT ALLOWED in the examination hall. If any such item is found in possession of a candidate in the examination hall, his/her candidature is liable to be cancelled and legal/criminal proceedings could be initiated against him/her. He/she would also be liable to be debarred from appearing in future examinations of the Commission for a period of 3–7 years. Candidates are, therefore, strictly advised not to bring prohibited items and bags into the Examination Venue.
Candidates are further requested to note that they shall not be permitted to attend the examination without e-Admission Certificate and Original Valid Identity Proof as enumerated in the Instructions attached with e-Admission Certificate. All candidates are, therefore, requested to download their e-Admission Certificate without fail. For further queries/clarifications, candidates may contact Southern Regional Office Helpline Numbers .
The Commission has taken necessary precautions in view of COVID-19 and the candidates are requested to follow the instructions given in e-Admission Certificate regarding COVID-19 scrupulously for safe and smooth conduct of Examination.
According to the Press Note issued by K Nagaraja, Regional Director, Staff Selection Commission 
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Election Commission
General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu & West Bengal, 2021-Allotment of Broadcast/ Telecast time to National/State Political Parties
Considering the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and enhanced relevance of non-contact based campaign, Election Commission of India, in consultation with Prasar Bharti Corporation has decided to double the broadcast/telecast time allotted to each National Party and recognized State Party of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu & West Bengal on Doordarshan and All India Radio during the ongoing General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu & West Bengal, 2021.
A copy of the Commission’s Order No.437/TA-LA/1/2021/Communication, dated 9th March, 2021 regarding allotment of Broadcast/Telecast time to National/State political parties in the General Election to the Legislative Assembly of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu & West Bengal, 2021 is enclosed for the information of the general public.
Click here to see the attachment.
Prime Minister's Office
PM Modi holds a meeting to discuss ways to boost agriculture sector
PM Narendra Modi held a meeting today to deliberate on the issues and reforms required in Agriculture sector. Special emphasis was given on reforms in agriculture marketing, management of marketable surplus, access of farmers to institutional credit and freeing agriculture sector of various restrictions with appropriate backing of statute.
The focus was on making strategic interventions in the existing marketing eco-system and bringing appropriate reforms in the context of rapid agricultural development. Concessional credit flow to strengthen agriculture infrastructure, special Kisan Credit Card saturation drive for PM-Kisan beneficiaries and facilitating inter and intra-state trade of agriculture produce to ensure fairest return to farmer were some of the important areas covered. Developing e-NAM into a platform of platforms to enable e-commerce was one of the important topics of discussion.
Discussion also emanated on the possibilities of uniform statutory framework in the country to facilitate new ways for farming which will infuse capital and technology in agrarian economy. The pros and cons of bio-technological developments in crops or enhancement of productivity and reduction in input costs was also deliberated. The challenges of model land leasing act and how to protect the interest of small and marginal farmers was discussed in detail. It was also deliberated how it is pertinent to make Essential Commodities Act compatible with present times so that large scale private investment in post-production agriculture infrastructure is incentivized and also has a positive effect on commodity derivative markets.
Developing Brand India, creation of commodity specific Boards/ Councils and promotion of Agri-Clusters/Contract Farming are some of the interventions that were deliberated to boost Agriculture commodity export.
The use of technology in the agriculture sector is of paramount importance as it has the potential to unlock the entire value chain for the benefit of our farmers. PM emphasised on the dissemination of technology till the last mile and making our farmers more competitive in the global value chain.
It was decided to further strengthen the role of FPOs to bring vibrancy in agrarian economy, transparency in agriculture trade and enable maximum benefits to the farmers. Overall emphasis was on revisiting the existing laws governing market for better price realization and freedom of choice to the farmers.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Centre advises States to conduct State-specific Sero Surveys in consultation with ICMR to generate district-level data on sero-prevalence
The findings would guide formulation of localized Public Health Responses for COVID19 management
The Union Government has advised all States/UTs to conduct sero-prevalence surveys in consultation with ICMRto generate district-level data on sero-prevalence which is essential in formulating localized public health response measures. This has been stated in the letter written by the Union Health Secretary to Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary/Secretary  of all States.
The Union Health Ministry has referred to the findings of the 4th round of National Sero-Prevalence Survey done by ICMR and has advised the States to conduct the sero-prevalence studies in their ownStates/UTs in consultation with ICMR, so that such studies follow a standardized protocol, and the findings of such studies can then be utilized quickly by the respective State/UT to guide objective, transparent and evidence-based public health response to COVID-19.
It has been pointed out that the Indian Council of Medical Research  has conducted the recent National Sero-survey in 70 districts of India. The findings of this survey indicate the State-wise sero-prevalence as below:
The national sero-survey by ICMR was designed to capture the extent of the spread of Covid infection at the national level. Therefore, the national sero-survey results do not reflect the heterogeneity of sero-prevalence between districts and even between States.
Ministry of Finance
GOI announces launch of 7.75% Savings  Bonds, 2018 commencing from 10th January 2018
Government of India has announced to launch of 7.75% Savings  Bonds, 2018 commencing from 10th January 2018 to enable resident citizens/HUF to invest in a taxable bond, without any monetary ceiling. The main features of the Bonds are:
 Who can invest: The Bonds are open to investment by individuals  and Hindu Undivided Families. NRIs are not eligible for making investments in these Bonds.
 Subscription: Applications for the Bonds in the form of Bond Ledger Account will be received in the designated branches of agency banks and SHCIL in all numbering about 1600.
 Issue Price: The Bonds will be issued at par i.e. at Rs.100.00
The Bonds will be issued for a minimum amount of Rs.1,000/-  and in multiples thereof. Accordingly, the issue price, will be Rs.1,000/- for every Rs.1,000/- .
The Bonds will be issued in demat form  only.
 Period: The Bonds will be on tap till further notice and issued in cumulative and non-cumulative forms.
 Limit of investment: There will be no maximum limit for investment in the Bonds.
 Tax treatment:
Income-tax: Interest on the Bonds will be taxable under the Income-tax Act, 1961 as applicable according to the relevant tax status of the bond holder.
Wealth tax: The Bonds will be exempt from Wealth-tax under the Wealth Tax Act, 1957.
 Maturity and rate of interest: The Bonds will have a maturity of 7 years carrying interest at 7.75% per annum payable half- yearly. The cumulative value of Rs. 1,000/- at the end of seven years will be Rs. 1,703.
 Transferability: The Bonds are not transferable.
The Bonds are not tradeable in the Secondary market and are not eligible as collateral for loans from banking institutions, non-banking financial companies or financial institutions.
 Nomination: A sole holder or a sole surviving holder of a Bond, being an individual, can make a nomination
Full details of the scheme are available in the Gazette Notification dated 3rd January 2018
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah conveys greetings to mark Independence Day
On the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day, the Union Home Minister unfurled the National Flag at his New Delhi residence
“On the occasion of Independence Day, I bow before those who contributed to India’s freedom with their valour and sacrifice and also pay my respects to those brave men and women who made the supreme sacrifice in the cause of the nation’s unity, integrity and security”
“Today we are proud that an independent, strong and self-sufficient India that our freedom fighters dreamt of, has been realized by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi”
“On one hand the Modi Government has provided poor and deprived sections with housing, power and health insurance, while on the other hand India has emerged as a powerful nation.”
“On this Independence Day, come, let us pledge to fulfill the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat and contribute to India achieving newer feats by adopting as much as possible ‘Make in India’ products”
Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah has conveyed greetings to mark Independence Day. On the occasion of India’s 74th Independence Day, the Union Home Minister unfurled the National Flag at his residence here today. In his message, Shri Amit Shah said,“On the occasion of Independence Day, I bow before those who contributed to India’s freedom with their valour and sacrifice and I also pay my respects to those brave men and women who made the supreme sacrifice in the cause of the nation’s unity, integrity and security.”
In a series of tweets, Shri Amit Shah said, “Today we are very proud that the independent, strong and self-sufficient India our freedom fighters dreamt of, has been realized by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. On one hand the Modi Government has provided the poor and deprived sections with housing, power and health insurance, while on the other hand India has emerged as a powerful nation.”
“On this Independence Day, come, let us pledge to fulfill the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat and contribute to India achieving newer feats by adopting as much ‘Make in India’ products. Happy Independence Day.”